Health, bioethics and the law

Abstract

This book sets out the provisions of Maltese Law dealing with health, bioethics and the law in an organised and user-friendly manner. It also discusses the various international and regional contributions which have been made in this delicate field by way of, inter alia, international and regional conventions, declarations, recommendations and plans of action which are undoubtedly pertinent to a study of this nature. This publication demonstrates how complex the law is in this field of human knowledge. It can be seen also that over the last few years there has been an entire overhaul of Maltese law concerning health and the health sector but, this notwithstanding, there are certain areas where Malta is still lagging behind. These aspects need undoubtedly further deep thought with a view to regulation, for as things stand today, in certain cases much is left to the discretion of the medical practitioner, with no local guidelines provided to act as eye openers for the profession, as to how it should conduct itself in such instances. Yet, where there are lacunae in the law, the authors have directed the reader to foreign sources which may possibly be of assistance to the local authorities in adopting similar codes of practice or guidelines. Health, Bioethics and the Law is a compendium of legislation - both primary and secondary- on the subject under review. It serves as a ready reckoner for those members of the medical profession who do not have the time to stay researching where to find the pertinent provisions of the law dealing with health issues and, to this extent, it makes life easier for one and all. This vademecum is also of interest to the law practitioner, to medical and law students and, generally, to the various professions referred to in this publication itself who have a role to play within the health sector.